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| Miraj Dhungana |
Miraj Dhungana is a 24-year-old Nepali activist and entrepreneur who rose to national attention during the youth-led anti-corruption protests of 2025. Originally from Makwanpur and currently living in Bhaktapur, he became one of the key voices of Nepal’s Gen Z movement.
Role in the 2025 Gen Z Movement
The protests began in September 2025 after a controversial government decision to restrict social media. Miraj gained wide recognition through his viral TikTok videos, where he promoted the “Garikhana Deu” (Let Us Make a Living in Peace) campaign.
He warned that the movement could be manipulated by political figures and emphasized that it was a grassroots effort, led by frustrated young citizens rather than established leaders.
When protests turned violent, leading to several deaths, Miraj condemned both the violence and the authorities’ harsh response. He denied claims that the youth were behind the destruction, calling it the work of “skilled hands” meant to discredit the movement.
After the unrest, he reported receiving anonymous threats, prompting his family to urge him to go into hiding for safety.
Entry into Politics
On October 18, 2025, Miraj announced that he would form a new political party to carry forward the goals of the movement. The name of the party is being crowdsourced from the public, and a dialogue committee has been formed to guide its establishment.
He has set several conditions for joining the March 2026 elections under the interim government:
A directly elected executive prime minister
Voting rights for all overseas Nepalis
A citizen-led body to monitor corruption
Public Image and Background
Miraj is admired for his polite, thoughtful, and well-informed communication style. Despite his growing influence, he describes himself as a reluctant politician, saying his true passion lies in business and social work, and that his entry into politics was a response to national necessity.
He earned an MBA from KFA Business School in 2024 and previously studied British IT at Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce (2018–2022). Professionally, he has worked in creative and branding roles across several companies before dedicating himself to activism.